Accessibility statement for the Council Tax and business rates service website

The mylambeth Council Tax and business rates service website is run by Capita Software Services on behalf of Lambeth Council.

We have made every effort to make this site accessible and easy to use for everyone, whether or not you have any disabilities by supporting the latest version of browsers and operating systems.

You should be able to:

  • zoom in up to 500 per cent without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver).

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand. AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

We aim to make this site easy to understand. If you have difficulty understanding any of the content complete this form to contact the mylambeth team

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

  • The screen reader is not able to tell a user what a button is and what is does on online forms
  • Header nesting needs amending on some of the pages
  • PDF documents on this website are not structured correctly and therefore not read logically by screen reader software

Navigating the site without using a mouse

You can move between links using the 'Tab' key on the keyboard. To tab through the links in the opposite direction, key 'Shift+Tab'. Once a link is highlighted, key 'Enter' to follow the link.

Resizable text

We haven’t fixed the size of the text on the website so you can alter the font size on the screen to make it easier to read.

There are a number of ways to change the text size in your browser, the easiest way is to follow these steps:

Chrome

Hold down the ctrl key and press the + / – key

Safari

Press Apple and the + / – key. To return the text to its original size, press Apple + 0

Firefox

  • select the ‘View’ menu
  • select Zoom
  • click on Zoom text only and then hold down the ctrl key and press the + key

It is also possible to increase or decrease the size of the text by holding down the ctrl key whilst using the scroll wheel on the mouse.

Internet Explorer

  • select the ‘View’ menu
  • select the ‘Text Size’ option from the menu
  • click on the text size you want to view

Microsoft Edge

  • select ‘settings’ from the menu
  • under ‘reading view font size’ select the font size you want

Colour scheme

You can set your web browser to ignore the colours that we have used on this website. You can ask your browser to use your own preferred colour scheme when viewing this site.

What to do if you cannot access parts of this website

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille complete this form to contact the mylambeth team

We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, email webteam@lambeth.gov.uk or call 020 7926 1000.

It would be helpful if your email contained the following:

  • The URL(s)(web address) of the page(s) that you are having difficulties with
  • How you are accessing the site, for example on your phone, on a laptop, on a tablet
  • If on a laptop or tablet, which browser you are using, for example Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome or Safari
  • The nature of your disability, if any
  • A description of the problem

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person

We provide a text relay service for people who are deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment.

Our offices have audio induction loops, or if you contact us before your visit we can arrange a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.

If you would like information published by Lambeth Council in large print, Braille, audio tape, in pictures and symbols, or in a community language please call 020 7926 1000.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Lambeth Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non compliance with the accessibility regulations

  • A screen reader is not able to tell a user what a button is and what is does on online forms. It requires an Accessible Name. The label property on buttons will need to be added for the label in name requirement in WCAG 2.1 to pass.
  • Header nesting needs amending on some of the pages. The header following h1 is incorrect. This does not meet success criteria 2.4.6 Headings and Labels (AA) (Repair: To modify the header levels so only an h1 or h2 follows h1 where relevant.)

We plan to fix both of these accessibility problems by Sept 2020.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

Our older PDFs are not structured to be accessible to a screen reader and therefore. do not meet accessibility standards.

This does not meet WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role value).

By September 2020, we plan to either fix PDFs that have been published after Sept 2018 or replace them with accessible HTML pages.

Please note: The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.

How we tested this website

This website was last tested in September 2019. The test was carried out by Capita Software Services.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We are currently reviewing accessibility across all online channels in line with new EU legislation and expect changes to be in place before Sept 2020.